Video: Maple Leafs Kyle Clifford Kicked Out for Nasty Hit

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning opened up their borderline violent series and just as we expected, some ugly stuff early. Maple Leafs tough guy Kyle Clifford was kicked out of the game and assessed a five-minute major for an ugly hit from behind on the Lightning's Ross Colton.

Clifford can't make this hit as sure he's trying to set the tone, but this was unacceptable and something his coach wasn't thrilled to witness. While he's not a dirty player, Clifford plays on the edge and this time around he crossed it:

It's likely we'll see a multiple game suspension coming for the Maple Leafs fourth-liner and look for Toronto to lean on Wayne Simmonds to handle the load physically. Game 2 goes Wednesday night, let's hope we see the last of this junk.

Photo credit:  Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports